5 Actions for Solid Mental Health
How much have you thought of your mental health today? Sure, you’ve thought about your physical health, because you are easily reminded of it by looking in the mirror, but chances are mental health doesn’t cross your mind very often.
But if you want to live your life to the fullest, take care of all aspects of yourself. If you’re young and haven’t entered the world of work, peer pressure at school may take its toll on you. Being faced with the task of performing at your peak day after day can create huge challenges and internal stress. These can take a toll on your mental health, which is why it’s important to perform key actions that can help you protect your mental health.
Be sure to perform these actions daily:
Sleep On Schedule
We know work and school can be tough. Sometimes we take the stress to bed with us, making sleep difficult. However, this is one of the worst things you can do, and lack of sleep will only hasten decline of your mental health. If you’ve ever had a poor night’s sleep you already know the negative effect is has on your mood and performance. As much as possible, shoot for a minimum of 7.5 hours of sleep every night- go to sleep at a time that leaves you enough hours for rest. Nobody likes a grouch in the morning.
Spend Time Outdoors
Ever notice when things get overwhelming how we are drawn to the beauty of being outdoors? Well, as it turns out, Mother Nature knows best. Spending more time outdoors translates to improved mental health. When you feel like you need a break, head outside. Take a walk in the park, stand on the beach and listen to the waves, sit in the forest and listen to the wind. A leisurely walk outdoors can reduce stress and boost your endorphin levels. And connecting with nature reminds us that we are part of something greater than ourselves.
Love And Be Loved
A fairly common trait among depression sufferers is the feeling that they are alone in this world – a lack of connection. This could stem from many things, but commonly is related to some form of rejection or the feeling of not fitting in with socially accepted norms.
Maybe you have a sibling who is the clear favorite of your parents, or maybe you’ve just experienced a break up. Here’s an out-of-the-box idea for you – get a dog! Dogs are undoubtedly the most loving companion you can ever have (ok, not starting a dog vs. cat war here!). A dog will make you the sole focus of his life – with a few squirrels and toys thrown in for balance. Of course, we’re not advocating that you forego your human companions, but pets are darn good as well!
Laugh Heartily
Someone once equated laughter with exercise, since they are both excellent activities for your mental and biological health. Though there is no doubt that laughter can’t replace exercise (get yourself to the gym!), that’s not to say you can’t enjoy life to the fullest. Laughter (and exercise) reduces stress hormone levels and elevates levels of endorphins, those mood elevating neurochemicals that are so crucial to our mental health. So when things look gloomy, just step back and laugh at yourself.
Exercise And Meditate
Exercise is a key piece to health and mental fitness. Endorphins help optimize your mental health and help ward off chronic lifestyle conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. While these diseases can negatively affect the brain itself, they can inadvertently contribute to poor mental health either from exacerbating stress or negatively affecting brain chemistry. Meditation allows you time to look inside yourself and find that place of calm where you can mentally rest and recharge.
Conclusion
Do not take the state of your mental health for granted. Many people will never grapple with depression or any other form of mental illness, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A few simple preventive measures can improve the quality of your future. What is your daily routine to maintain your mental (and physical) health?